Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer hopes to be back on the field by mid-August. (Getty Images file photo)

Some rare good news out of the Rockies’ clubhouse late Monday night: Outfielder Michael Cuddyer, the 2013 NL batting champion, received a thumbs up after undergoing an MRI on his broken left shoulder socket. It will take a while for him to gain strength and motion, but he’s hoping for a return in late- to mid-August.

“It’s pretty much what we thought we were going to hear — that it’s healing,” Cuddyer said. “I can start the strengthening process. We don’t have a specific timeline, because it’s all symptomatic right now.

“But hopefully, three weeks from now, I can go out on a rehab (assignment) and I would be back five days after that.”

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.